Hudson Urges Action on Infrastructure

Press Release

Hudson Urges Action on Infrastructure

Hudson Urges Immediate Congressional Action On Metropolitan Infrastructure Protection, Disaster Coordination, And Planning

The recent water main break in Montgomery county has highlighted many problems that extend way beyond the inconvenience of having to "boil water" for a few days. This incident identified issues with the integrity of our infrastructure, capacity of the emergency communications systems, preparedness to react and implement resources to an emergency situation in a timely manner, lack of public information, awareness and preparedness. Had this been a terrorist incident, we would have been paralyzed thanks to total a lack of preparedness on the part of our elected leaders.

Since 9/11, officials in every jurisdiction of the Washington Metropolitan area have recognized that we are a potential target for terrorist activity. Every incident like this points out potential vulnerabilities to those who would do harm to us. It is not so much that the leaders of our government live here and need protection. The real issue is that many of the residents of our neighborhoods are the invaluable government workers who keep our nation running at every level. They are an invaluable national asset and their safety is paramount to the functioning of our government systems and as citizens and taxpayers, they deserve better.

According to Montgomery County Executive, Ike Leggett, "While improvements need to be made in communication, Leggett says "the greater issue is the need to improve the region's infrastructure," something he says he's been calling on for 12 years.

Hudson said, "I find it inexcusable that communications were delayed because people were on vacation, repair work was delayed for a day while "bids" for the repair work were reviewed, there is no coordinated emergency broadcast capability for an event like this, and worst of all, that the water system for the residents surrounding the capitol of the free world is in a state of unacceptable disrepair."

This could have been a breakdown in any area of the regional infrastructure whether it be transportation, communication, power transmission, health emergency, etc. in a post 9/11 environment there is no excuse for there being any short fall in our area emergency preparedness. The lack of urgency displayed by elected officials borders on the criminal. These issues must be dealt with at a regional level in a highly coordinated manner with The Department of Homeland Security in as timely a fashion as possible.

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